Online Reporter
Nokuthaba Brita Ncube, [email protected]
THE Forestry Commission has urged communities to plant more trees as part of efforts to counter the effects of climate change.
In Zimbabwe the tree planting season runs from the beginning of the rainy season in December until the end of April.
Speaking on the sidelines of the belated national tree planting day, which coincided with the International Forest Day commemorations at Khami Secondary School on Friday, Umguza District forestry extension officer, Mr Joseph Tinashe Dakwa, said they were motivating children to embrace tree planting.
“We are catching them young so that they grow up knowing the importance of planting trees,” he said.
Mr Dakwa said the world is grappling with the adverse impact of climate change such as global warming hence the Commission was on a drive to plant 500 million trees to mitigate the impact.
Speaking at the same occasion, Zimbabwe Prisons Correctional Services (ZPCS) Officer Commanding Bulawayo province, Commissioner Mkhunjulelwa Ngwenya, applauded the theme of the event: “A tree for every child,” which emphasises the need for collaborative effort.
He said the National Tree Planting Day is meant to remind communities the importance of planting trees to protect the environment and preserve the ecosystem.
“This day encourages us to reflect on our duty to protect our environment through planting trees that will not only benefit us but future generations as well,” said Comm Ngwenya.
He said the tree planting day was deliberately timed to coincide with the International Forestry Day, which this year is being celebrated under the theme: “Forest and food,” a global observance that highlight the importance of forests and the various ecosystems they support.
Comm Ngwenya said it was essential to instil in children an understanding of why they must care for the forests and how their actions today shape the future.
In 2023, more than 22 million trees were planted countrywide under an initiative aimed at combating deforestation and mitigating the effects of climate change.
The Forestry Commission, which is spearheading the nationwide tree planting campaign, had set a target of 25 million trees for the year.
Reflecting on the background of the school, Commissioner Ngwenya said Khami Secondary was founded in 2011, starting as a peri-urban school with a handful of students, with a vision to provide quality education and nature future leaders.
“In terms of achievements, I am proud to share that our school has consistently excelled in academics, ranking among the top institutions in our province,” he said.
The school has made significant strides in the development of its infrastructure with the introduction of modern classrooms that have created a conducive learning environment.
